News from the AOA's Blog

Dear Editor:

 After 60 years as an AOA member, I wish to comment on Bill Morrison of Gainesville, Georgia’s letter.

Sure, board certification is a national giant step. Yes, many of us do not know if we will pass or not despite all our college and high steps we have already achieved.

What many do not understand is that optometry is between a rock and the hard place. If we slack now, we will undoubtedly be condemned to second or third place in the new national health program or deleted.

My OD grandfather fought to even initially get optometry recognized by our state.

These are trying times, and like it or not, optometry is going to have to prove, as other recognized professions have, to be board certified. It’s not if we like it. It’s what our back against the wall demands for us to go forward.

Years ago, osteopathy had great struggles for recognition and were downgraded in many ways by the medical profession. Osteopathy upgraded their skills and by effort—a lot of effort—finally obtained recognition and had board certification to boot.

Optometry is getting to the brink of similar recognition, and board certification can greatly assist the next step forward.

We simply must go ahead or we go behind. We cannot live in the past, and what we have accomplished—and hate to say it—is water under the bridge. The obstacles are formidable ahead, and we must regear to again climb the mountain of all important health care recognition.

J.R. Hale, O.D.
Sunnyside, Wash.